Relationships

Relationships can be greatly strengthened when children are added; but they can also take a beating. Remember to love and respect your partner – even if you want to strangle him or her. The most important skill to master is communication. The following provides some help with approaches to communication:

Effective Communication Techniques (adapted from guidelines published by West Virginia University)

Make the Time

Frequency – practice communication regularly and it will become a good habit.

Appropriateness – Don’t ask your partner to have a heart to heart during the third period of the Stanley Cup finals. Your request will not be well received. Find a mutually convenient time. You will both feel engaged and the quality of communication will be better.

Listen Actively

Be attentive – concentrate on what is being said.

Be impartial – don't form an opinion, just listen.

Reflect back – restating what has been said helps the speaker know that you understand.

Summarize – pull together the important messages so that you and the speaker recognize what was important during the conversation.

Nonverbal Message

Posture – let your body show that you are interested by sitting up and leaning toward your partner.

Equal positioning – if your partner is standing, you stand. If your partner is sitting, you sit as well.